Elsevier

Behavior Therapy

Volume 13, Issue 4, September 1982, Pages 486-498
Behavior Therapy

Predicting the impact of assertive, empathic-assertive, and nonassertive behavior: The assertiveness of the assertee

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This study examined the differential impact of male and female assertive, empathic-assertive, and nonassertive behavior on low and high assertive individuals. After viewing standardized videotapes of one of four models engaged in several refusal situations, subjects evaluated the model on multiple indices of interpersonal attraction. As hypothesized, low assertive subjects reacted relatively negatively to assertive and, to a lesser extent, empathic-assertive behavior, whereas high assertive subjects generally devalued nonassertive behavior. Consistent with prior findings, assertive models were evaluated as highly competent, but less likeable and desirable than nonassertive models. Empathy moderated the negative effects of assertion. Results did not indicate that females' assertion was devalued relative to males' assertion. The discussion focuses on enhancing stimulus discrimination skills.

Reference notes (3)

  • FordJ.D. et al.

    Assertiveness and social competence in the eye of the beholder

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